Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Grad Sion James Looks Like Literal Draft Steal

NBA teams seeking chiseled perimeter defenders can't help but notice the one-year Duke basketball starter this week.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball guard Sion James and forward Cooper Flagg
Duke basketball guard Sion James and forward Cooper Flagg / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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If Sion James comes off the board at the 2025 NBA Draft in Brooklyn's Barclays Center on June 25-26, chances are it'll happen in the second half of the second round and mark either the fourth or fifth Duke basketball name to get selected this year, depending on where three-year Blue Devil treasure Tyrese Proctor lands.

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However, the 22-year-old James, a major backcourt force for last season's Final Four Duke basketball squad after developing into a Tulane standout across four years with the Green Wave, should be approaching the center of the radar for any franchise hoping to find a chiseled lockdown defender and seasoned overall talent potentially prepared to earn minutes off a bench right away.

In fact, given James' defensive efforts across his first two NBA Draft Combine scrimmage outings in Chicago's Wintrust Arena this week, one could now easily argue that he appears more than ready to be the "steal" of this year's second round.

Showcasing his intimidating frame and relentless competitiveness on both ends of the floor, James has proven consistently excellent in the steals department, recording four in each scrimmage. He's done so while averaging 8.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.0 blocks.

Sion James stacks up at No. 53 on ESPN's ranking of this year's 100 best NBA Draft prospects, one notch below Tyrese Proctor. Duke basketball one-and-done starters Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, and Kon Knueppel check in at No. 1, No. 7, and No. 8, respectively.

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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